Easy Pasta Bolognese
A comforting dish of spaghetti topped with a rich meat sauce, perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
For the Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil For sautéing vegetables
- 1 onion, chopped Adds sweetness and depth
- 2 cloves garlic, minced For flavor
- 1 carrot, diced Adds sweetness
- 1 stalk celery, diced For flavor
- 500 g ground beef Main protein component
- 400 g canned tomatoes Rich in flavor
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste Intensifies the sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano For seasoning
- to taste Salt and pepper To adjust flavor
For the Pasta
- 400 g spaghetti or pasta of choice Cook according to package instructions
For Serving
- Grated Parmesan cheese For garnish
- Fresh basil leaves For garnish
Instructions
Preparation
- Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, diced carrot, and diced celery. Sauté for about 5 to 7 minutes until softened.
Cooking
- Increase heat and add ground beef. Cook until nicely browned, breaking apart with a spoon.
- Stir in the canned tomatoes and tomato paste. Add dried oregano and season with salt and pepper. Let simmer on low heat for 20 to 30 minutes.
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions, usually around 8 to 10 minutes.
- Drain pasta, reserving a little pasta water to adjust sauce consistency if needed.
- Toss the drained pasta with the Bolognese sauce in the pan until coated.
- Serve topped with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil.
Notes
This dish can be made ahead and tastes better the next day. Store leftovers in an airtight container. Customize the recipe with additional vegetables or herbs.